2010?!?!

Yes, I'm back in the blogosphere. I know you've missed us! In the past few months, we've moved into our new home, I've walked away from grad school, we enjoyed the holidays, and we're gradually getting into the groove of "big city" life again. All in all, life is much more peaceful than it's been in a while, and I'm thankful.

All gussied up for an anniversary dinner while spending a few days in Girdwood at Hidden Creek B&B. Our first getaway in 4 years; thank you, Granny and Grandaddy!

Cross country skiing in the meadows of Girdwood during the same getaway. Amazing snow! Fabulous company!

The view from our dining room window:

Speaking of great views, this is the view from Papa's office window.

So many uses for a Tonka truck!

Squirt Boy is an aspiring photographer, specializing in self-portraiture.

After a fun-filled afternoon of sledding with the Nobles.

Fuzzy Butt brings new meaning to the term "sled dog". Yes, she stayed in all the way down!

Squirt Boy ready to tackle the sledding hill in our big kicksled (with an adult driver). The boys got a kid-sized one in the mail just the other day; thanks, Grandma and Grandpa! Gus crawled up into it while Papa was putting it together, ready for a ride, and Squirt Boy can kick with the best of them.

"The better to see you with, my dear!"

Here's wishing you all the blessings of a fabulous new year, and I look forward to keeping in better touch.

Hands Full

I've had my hands full, which makes updating my blog a wee bit difficult. Summer has come to a glorious end. The leaves are golden, the mornings are crisp, and we find ourselves scratching our heads, wondering what happened to summer.

We've had many friends and family come visit recently, and I'm excited to share photos of those good times with you.

House progress continues, too. The doors are redder, the siding greener, the deck railings are soon to be more brown. Beautiful slate tile welcomes you at the door, and lies warmly beneath the woodstove. Creamsicle orange cheers the oft-visited laundry room, and hickory cabinets hang in the kitchen.

For now, please be content with some Squirt Boy and Peanut photos to tide you over.

Squirt Boy eating the ONLY strawberry from our numerous plants. YUM, YUM!



Self-portrait



Peanut is four months old now, smiley and talkative.




I sure do love these boys!

Random Things

Pregnant Mama on Easter

Squirt Boy turned Two on May 12. We had a playground party with many of our friends. Granny and Grandaddy were there, too.

Our First Canoe Trip of the Summer (Clearwater Lake, AK)

When you can’t find your bagpipes, try a cup lid.




The “Papa”razzi is so hard to elude.

Squirt Boy in all his glory

Winter Adventures

A couple of weeks ago, we woke to a calm winter day. Usually, such calm betrays cold so bitter that your nose hairs freeze instantly when you step outside, and you try desperately NOT to breathe through your mouth. If not calm, the wind whipping through the trees indicates a passing warm front. True, the thermometer may read ten to twenty degrees warmer than the day, or even the hour, preceding, but the wind chill negates much of the warmth.

This day, however, was not windy AND the temperature was 10 degrees. Anything above zero is balmy by our standards, and this mama knew it was a day to get outside. Sunlight, though returning more rapidly every day, was still not on our side. We ventured out about 2:30 in the afternoon; notice the lovely twilight? The sun would set in an hour.

We sledded, we plodded through the snow, we looked at trees and animal tracks (moose and dog), and enjoyed the fresh air. Squirt Boy loved being outside, and protested heading in after 45 minutes, despite the growing darkness.

We swang/swung/swinged.

We walked like penguins.


And we had cocoa to wash it all down. Life is good.